Overview

The American Mosaic Journalism Prize recognizes exceptional freelance journalists working in long-form, narrative, or deep reporting about underrepresented and/or misrepresented groups in the United States.

Outstanding journalism has the ability to foster greater understanding and amplify the unique experiences and plights of people often overlooked or stereotyped in media. While freelance journalists are well positioned to tell these stories, the nature of freelance reporting makes their work uniquely challenging.

Each year, the American Mosaic Journalism Prize provides two unrestricted cash prizes of $100,000 in recognition of the recipients’ exceptional work and promise. Based on confidential nominations from journalism leaders from all corners of the United States, the prize is a complete surprise to its recipients. A judging panel of 10 journalism leaders select each year’s recipients.

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2024 Prize Recipients

2025 Prize Recipients

Latria Graham

Latria Graham is a writer, storyteller, cultural critic, and fifth-generation farmer dedicated to covering under resourced and misrepresented communities in her home region of the American South.

Zaydee Sanchez

Zaydee Sanchez is a Mexican-American visual journalist, documentary photographer, and writer whose coverage highlights the lives of labor workers, migrants, and other populations often underrepresented in media.
View All American Mosaic Journalism Prize Recipients

FAQs

The recipients of this prize each receive $100,000, unrestricted.

A freelance journalist of either print, audio, or photography for a selection of work published in, or aired on, media outlets during that year’s eligibility period.

In today’s journalism, freelancers are both vulnerable and valuable. With trimming of newsroom staffs, many journalists are working without the support of an institution. They are a one-person team of journalist, business manager, administrative assistant, accountant, and lawyer. They often work with limited financial resources. And yet, some of the most important works of journalism come from these individuals who have the freedom to commit long periods of time to their work.

Two per year.

Nominations are reviewed for excellence in long-form, narrative, or deep reporting on stories about underrepresented and/or misrepresented groups in the present American landscape, thereby breaking down isolation and stereotypes, and bringing new perspectives and understanding to audiences. Journalism works in print, audio, or photography are considered. Books, films, and self-published work not affiliated with a media outlet are not. Major consideration also includes the potential for future work.

We ask that nominators keep their nominations completely confidential. Only when the two recipients are informed of their selection do they learn that they had been considered for this prize.

No. We feel it is critical that this cash prize be unrestricted. The recipients can spend the money in any way they wish. We believe this helps protect their freedom as journalists. They have no obligation to the Foundation.

Confidential nominations are received from hundreds of leaders in journalism from across the country—including a wide-ranging group of editors of publications and outlets, practitioners, representatives from journalism groups and associations, and academic institutions. All nominators remain confidential so as to not attract attention and solicitation. Eligible entries are reviewed by a group of established journalists. Based on reviewers’ scores, a number of candidates are presented to that year’s judging panel. Judges are not aware of a candidate’s nominator. Judges review finalists in advance and then agree on two recipients during an in-person meeting.

The Foundation does not accept submissions for the prize. The Foundation relies on the journalism leaders serving as confidential nominators to surface the talent for this prize.

The prize recognizes exceptional journalism that brings greater understanding about the experiences and plights of people often overlooked or stereotyped. The term is intentionally broad to allow consideration for a wide range of subjects.

No. Each year, the judging committee includes a mix of new judges and returning judges from the prior year.